Is it Okay to Play Shadow of War First?
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The answer to the question of whether it’s okay to play Shadow of War first is yes, as the story was designed to be accessible, and players need not play Shadow of Mordor or understand any of Tolkien’s work before playing Shadow of War. Playing Shadow of War first allows you to jump straight into the game and watch some plot videos or cinematic videos on YouTube for Shadow of Mordor if you want to learn more about the backstory.
Understanding the Game Series
To further understand the context of playing Shadow of War first, let’s address some frequently asked questions about the game series.
Related Questions
- Is it necessary to play Shadow of Mordor before Shadow of War? No, it’s not necessary, but playing Shadow of Mordor can help you get used to the mechanics, basic plot, and fighting techniques.
- Should I start over Shadow of War? Starting a new game in Shadow of War allows you to handicap yourself and start on a higher difficulty from start to finish, making the game more challenging.
- Do I play Shadow of Mordor or War first? If there will be a gap between finishing Mordor and starting War, play Mordor first; otherwise, jump straight into War.
- Is Shadow of War still grindy? Developer Monolith Productions has released an update that removes microtransactions and the in-game market-place, addressing the late-game grind in Shadow Wars.
- How many hours is 100% Shadow of War? Completing Shadow of War to 100% can take around 55½ Hours, focusing on main objectives takes about 20½ Hours.
- Is Shadow Wars endless? Infinite Shadow Wars arrived with Shadow of War’s first DLC, the Slaughter Tribe.
- Is Talion canon in Lord of the Rings? Talion is non-canonical, not originating from J.R.R. Tolkien’s works.
- Which Middle-Earth game is better? Shadow of War is considered better, but both games are worth playing to follow the story from the start.
- Is Talion in Lord of the Rings? Talion appears only in Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and Middle-earth: Shadow of War, and is not part of the Lord of the Rings canon.
- How long does Shadow War last? Typically, a TikTok shadowban lasts around two weeks, but this is unrelated to the gameplay duration of Shadow of War.
- What is the best way to play Shadow of War? Treat the combat system gently, don’t kill everything you see, and it’s okay to run away when necessary.
- How hard is Shadow of War? The game has a Normal difficulty that’s balanced between being challenging and forgiving, with a Gravewalker difficulty for those seeking more challenge.
- How does Shadow of War fit into LOTR? Shadow of War is set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sixty years separating the two stories.
- Is Shadow of War canon? No, Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are non-canon to the Tolkien-verse.
- Is Shadow of Mordor worth playing in 2023? Yes, Shadow of Mordor is still worth playing, despite having less content than Shadow of War.
Conclusion
In conclusion, playing Shadow of War first is a perfectly viable option, given its accessible story and the removal of the need to understand Tolkien’s work or play Shadow of Mordor beforehand. By addressing the FAQs and understanding the game mechanics, storyline, and lore, players can fully immerse themselves in the world of Middle-Earth and enjoy the Shadow of War experience to its fullest.